UK stocks open 0.1% lower amid China growth concerns

At 0856, the benchmark FTSE 100 index had fallen 9.10 points, or 0.1%, to 7.652.77.

John Laing Infrastructure Fund jumped 18% to 139.6p after the company confirmed it was considering a possible 142.5p per share offer from a consortium backed by Dalmore Capital and Equitix Investment Management.

Pharmaceutical group Indivior rallied 27% on news that a US court had granted a preliminary injunction against rival Dr. Reddy's Laboratories.

The ruling prevented Dr. Reddy's from selling a generic version of its opioid addiction treatment, though only while its legal action played out in the courts.

Pesticides supplier Plant Health Care tumbled 31% after it decided not to seek a licence in South America for a new product, having found during field trials that its benefits protecting soybeans were 'not substantial'.

IT managed services provider IDE Group fell 11% as it downgraded its profit guidance, admitting that its cost reduction efforts had fallen short.

Gas and electricity supplier to companies Yu Group added 3.8% on guidance that it expected to post a 69% jump in first-half revenue, with earnings for the full year expected to meet market expectations.

Components supplier Meggitt said it won a $21m five-year contract from the Defense Logistics Agency in Virginia to supply fuel cell equipment for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter until 2022. Its shares gained 0.9%.

Scotland-focused developer Springfield Properties gained 3.1% on news it expected to post revenue for the year through May slightly ahead of market expectations.

Cyber security group Defenx said it was talking to its majority shareholder, BV Tech, about securing more funding after failing to win customers at an expected rate. Its shared remained suspended from trading.

Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

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